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Book 2, Chapter 4
Themes
Key
LitCharts assigns a color and icon to each theme in Our Mutual Friend, which you can use to track the themes throughout the work.
Society, Class, and Character
Greed and Corruption
Marriage, Adoption, and Family
Education vs. Real-World Experience
Misfits and Outcasts
Summary
Analysis
As it turns out, Fledgeby’s mother is from the Snigsworth family, with her being a cousin of Lord Snigsworth, but her choice of husband offended her family and left her estranged. At breakfast the next morning, Alfred asks Fledgeby what he thought of Georgiana. Fledgeby, who is 23 but has some of the miserly tendencies of an older man, feels that the question must be some sort of trick and refuses to answer. He doesn’t like how Alfred is forcing him to be with Georgiana.
The tangential connections that so many characters have to Lord Snigsworth become a running joke in the story. Characters are so desperate to prove their place in upper-class society with credentials that they end up reaching for the most distant family connections. The concept of a miser will become important to the story, as in this novel, greed is often specifically about hoarding wealth to keep it from others rather than spending it.
Themes
Fledgeby can sense that Alfred wants to use him for some scheme, but when he mentions this directly, Alfred gets so offended that he forces Fledgeby to apologize. After the apology, Fledgeby leaves breakfast feeling that he and Alfred finally understand each other. It’s a public holiday, so Fledgeby spends a while walking around the city.
This passage shows Fledgeby’s naivete and how perhaps his own greed has blinded him from being able to see the ways that Alfred is manipulating him. Alfred’s indignation at Fledgeby’s accusation shows how shameless he is and how willing he is to lie to Fledgeby, all in the hope of getting some money out of him.
Themes
Fledgeby goes to visit a vacant-looking shop called Pubsey and Co. and knocks until he finally gets let in by an old Jewish man named Riah. It turns out Fledgeby owns this business and is angry at Riah for closing on a holiday. He orders Riah around and makes comments about how all Jewish people seem to be rich. He gives Riah instructions about things to buy for the business, then prepares to leave.
This passage reveals a different side of Fledgeby, and not a flattering one. Although Fledgeby acts shy around Alfred and Sophronia, his prejudices against Jewish people cause him to be a tyrant toward Riah. He expresses common tropes and prejudices against Jewish people.
Themes
Just then, Fledgeby hears that from Riah that they have guests on top of the shop. Lizzie and Jenny have come to the shop, as Jenny is interested in selling some of the doll dresses she makes. Fledgeby asks Riah to always keep Fledgeby’s name a secret, not revealing that he’s the one who owns Pubsey and Co.
Alfred tries to manipulate Fledgeby but in turn, Fledgeby tries to manipulate Riah. Jenny, who’s at the very bottom of the social ladder, doesn’t manipulate anyone except dolls.
Themes
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